Holliday’s homecoming big for the Cards

Matt Holliday hit a two-run double to spark a four-run first inning and added a two-run homer in the seventh to open up a big lead and eventual 11-6 win for the Cardinals over the Rockies on Tuesday night.

Holliday pounded former Royals starter Jeff Francis, who was Holliday’s teammate on Colorado’s 2007 World Series team. The Cardinals scored four run off Francis before he could record an out.

Carlos Beltran and David Freese also homered and Allen Craig went 3 for 3 with two walks and three RBIs to help the Cardinals keep pace with Cincinnati (7-6 win over S.D.) and Pittsburgh (5-0 win over Chicago).